UW football season preview

The Huskies field one of their most talented teams but will be extremely inexperienced in 2020. How will they fare over the course of the season?

If you told me that the Husky football season would be starting in the fall a few months ago, I would have called you crazy. But here we are and the Huskies will begin their season in just five days where they will open on the road versus the California Golden Bears. 

The Huskies bring an inexperienced team to the field, including fielding a new quarterback, but based on recruiting ratings of players, is also one of its most talented teams we have seen in recent years. Each game will be a battle. I want to give my insight on each and provide my final record prediction for the year.

Week 1: California

As they’ve continuously been a team that gives our offense fits, the Huskies are currently on a two-game losing streak against California. California brings back a stacked defense as well as one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, Chase Garbers — who is also the older brother of Husky freshman quarterback, Ethan Garbers. 

This game worries me considering the Huskies will be fielding an inexperienced starting quarterback versus what might be the best defense in the conference. As much as it hurts me to say this, especially with the game being in Berkley, I see them dropping the week one matchup.

Cal 23 UW 13

Week 2: Oregon State

After a tough week one draw, the Huskies received a more favorable matchup at home versus a rising Oregon State team coached by former UW offensive coordinator Johnathan Smith. Coming off a five win season, which was their best since 2014, the Beavers will be led by their defense as well as their new quarterback. I see the Huskies taking care of business in their first game back in Husky Stadium.

UW 27 OSU 7

Week 3: Arizona

Arizona is predicticted by most experts to finish last in the conference. They will still field a few talented players, but I see no issue in this home game for the Huskies and hope this will be the game that the offense finds their stride. 

UW 42 Zona 17

Week 4: Washington State

Usually the Apple Cup would conclude the regular season, but this year it will be the week four matchup. Since the Mike Leach era has come to an end in Pullman, this sadly won’t be a guaranteed win. This will be more of a rebuilding year for the Cougs. They will face struggles so the Apple Cup will stay in Seattle. 

UW 31 WSU 21

Week 5: Stanford

The Huskies have won two straight games versus Stanford at home. Stanford, who was once one of the premier programs in the conference, has fallen off a bit but this is most likely their best team in three years. UW will be rolling and will take care of business on senior night. 

UW 24 Stanford 16

Week 6: Oregon

Destiny has revealed itself as it just so happens that the most important and impactful game of the year will take place in the final week of the regular season. After winning two straight games the Huskies have now lost two straight versus their hated rival. Despite losing their star quarterback, Justin Herbert, and being in the process of almost completely rebuilding their offensive line, the Ducks will return most of their dominant defense.

The odds will be in favor of Oregon, and this game will most likely determine the Pac-12 North champion with a game to the championship on the line. This might be a biased pick, but I can never pick Oregon over UW, and if the Huskies find a consistent offense, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be able to win this game. 

UW 27 Oregon 24

With a regular season record of 5-1, and as long as California loses at least two games, this will be good enough for the Huskies to earn a spot in the Pac-12 championship with a New Years’ six-game berth on the line. 

If it isn’t obvious already, the Huskies strength will be their defense and the majority of their wins will be dependent on holding their opponents to under 20 points. But, if one of the quarterbacks can step up and play at an elite level, the talent on this offense has never been better and can easily be a team that can score upwards of 30 points per game. 

With success this season, UW will be in a prime position to take a step to the next level in 2021 and compete for a spot in the college football playoff. However, don’t look directly ahead yet considering there is a lot to be excited for in 2020 with this Husky squad.